Bartending Professional Tips

By Steve Landen

In a bar, you will find an interesting and diverse community of people who will seek
out fine bartending, not only for the relaxation and camaraderie, but also for a
familiar and comfortable environment where they are recognized and accepted. For many
people, in this competitive and aggressive world, a bar may be a sole source of
sustenance for those basic things that are so essential to us all as humans. We are,
after all, social beings.

Who doesn't recall an episode of the television series "Cheers" when every time one
of the leading characters would walk in, the entire bar would erupt in the chorus of
"Hey Norm?" Few of us are entitled to such a universal form of recognition and instant
acceptance from bar patrons, but an excellent bartender can provide almost the same
sort of experience for customers.

I bartended to work my way through both undergraduate and graduate school, and have
gone back to it several times when I grew weary of corporate life. The money (if you
do it right) is about the same anyway, and, admittedly, it is tiring and demanding,
like any job, but it is a heck of a lot more fun!

Every bar is different in its nature and appeal (strip bar vs. a restaurant's cocktail
lounge), so this is not a "one size fits all" but, for the most part, if you follow
these few words of advice, you can make it both enjoyable and very profitable!

1. Welcome all of your customers as though you know them and introduce yourself.
Remember their names and welcome them, using their names, the next time they visit.
(Keep a legal pad if you need too, "gray beard, thick glasses, name George, drinks
Bud" ... and any quirks you can note that will help you recall. Failing that just say
"Hey good to see you again!" Just think of it like if you were having a party in your
own home ... It's easy!

2. Always keep in mind what their drink of choice is and be prepared to offer them
their preference. You should already know the names and preferences of your regulars.

3. If a customer comes accompanied by a date or companion, treat them both as if they
are royalty, address the customer as in "Wonderful to see you again, Mr. or Ms so and
so (if they are a regular). And what can I do especially for your guest?" Be sure
to use the finest glass for their friend. If you treat them with that sort of respect,
you cannot only expect a nice tip, but you can bet that they will be back over and over,
and looking for you.

4. Yes, do remember jokes. Remember them when you hear them and study them on the
Internet. Internet jokes are so boring that most of us just delete them, but ahhh...
the telling of a joke is just that, it is the delivery and the story telling that makes
it both interesting and amusing. Be prepared to have at least two new ones on every shift.